October is Pedestrian Month; DOT Reminds Drivers and Pedestrians to Stay Safe

Thursday, October 12th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation calls on drivers and pedestrians to share the road and stay aware of your surroundings to protect all travelers this fall.

October is Pedestrian Safety Month, to help drivers recognize that pedestrians are our most vulnerable road users in a crash. The number of pedestrians killed in crashes in Wisconsin rose 44% last year, from 50 deaths in 2021 to 72 in 2022.

Preliminary data shows improvement in the number of pedestrian-involved crashes this year, but fatalities remain high. So far in 2023, 49 people were killed in 880 pedestrian-involved crashes.

Drivers must be extra conscious of pedestrian safety this time of year. When Daylight Saving Time ends on November 5, drivers will spend more time traveling in the dark, when pedestrians are difficult to see. Always keep a close eye on the road.

There will likely be pedestrians out in the days leading up to Halloween when families are trick-or-treating, often at dusk or at night. Children can be unpredictable, so drivers must be vigilant in neighborhoods where kids may be out walking on sidewalks or in the roads.

WisDOT’s awareness campaigns, including Control Your Drive, Buckle Up Phone Down and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, run throughout the year to remind drivers that their most important task behind the wheel is to drive safely.

State laws aim to keep all road users safe by creating a protected space to cross streets. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a sidewalk, alley, or driveway and when pedestrians have started crossing the street.

WisDOT asks drivers to consider the following safety recommendations:

• Put the phone down to avoid distractions;
• Obey all posted signs and speed limits;
• Driving a few miles per hour over the speed limit can be the difference between life and death for a pedestrian;
• Do not block crosswalks when stopping at intersections;
• Always drive sober.

Pedestrians are required to yield to drivers when crossing a road where there is no intersection, crosswalk, or walk signal. They should not suddenly move into the path of a closely approaching vehicle that does not have time to yield​.

Pedestrians can take additional steps to keep themselves safe, too. Always:

• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals;
• Use sidewalks whenever available;
• If there is no sidewalk, travel facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible;
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections;
• If a crosswalk is not available, find a well-lit area with a clear view of traffic and wait for a gap that allows enough time to cross safely;
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots;
• Take extra care at night and at dusk when chances of injury increase;
• Wear reflective clothing or lights to be more visible.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.